The Western Ringtail Possum is a threatened species and is listed as ‘Vulnerable’ by the World Conservation Union. It has declined from 90% of its former extent due to:

• land clearing for agriculture and urban development
• logging and burning of southwest forests
• predation by foxes and feral cats
• attacks by domestic cats and dogs
• being killed by traffic as they try to cross roads
• poisoning by rat and snail bait
• relocation to unsuitable habitat
• diseases such as toxoplasmosis which is carried by cats

The Busselton area has one of the most significant remaining Western Ringtail Possum populations and there is a high level of threat to the species here due to clearing of habitat for urban development.

Ongoing community concerns raised with GeoCatch about the Western Ringtail Possum in the Busselton area led to the initiation of the Peppies for Possums project. The project involves:

• Western Ringtail Possum population surveys
• Weed control, site preparation and planting of Peppermints in priority areas
• Awareness raising in the wider community

The Peppies for Possums project also supports the Western Ringtail Action Group (WRAG) which is made up of representatives from the Department of Environment and Conservation, Shire of Busselton, Busselton Naturalists Club, Fostering Assistance for Wildlife Needing Aid (FAWNA Inc), Busselton-Dunsborough Environment Centre, individuals, Possum scientists and a local Vet.

The GeoCatch/WRAG partnership was successful in receiving a Threatened Species Network grant (a partnership between WWF-Australia and the Australian Government) to undertake:

• Western Ringtail Possum population survey in 10 urban reserves in Busselton
• Strategic revegetation of Peppermint woodlands in priority areas
• Production of awareness raising materials

WRAG meetings are well attended by enthusiastic members and are open to everyone. For more information contact GeoCatch on 9781 0111.

Imagine - Busselton without Peppermints or possums…

Peppermint trees across the south west are slowly dying due to unknown causes, this could have a catastrophic effect on the Western Ringtail Possum, a threatened species that depends on the tree for food and shelter.

‘The Peppermint is such an important and widespread species in the area and the impact of this decline is potentially massive particularly for the threatened Western Ringtail Possums as Peppermint leaves make up the majority of their diet.’ said John McKinney, GeoCatch’s former Biodiversity Hotspot Coordinator.

‘Once you get start looking for signs of the decline you see it everywhere. Common symptoms include yellowing of the leaves followed by a dying back and eventual death of the whole tree. ’

The decline in peppermint health has become more noticeable in the last few years and affects trees in a range of age groups in different locations in the landscape.

The exact cause of the decline is still unknown, but GeoCatch and the newly established Centre for Excellence in Climate Change and Woodland and Tree Health at Murdoch University are currently researching the decline and possible treatments.

Landholders have the opportunity to participate in trials to find solutions to the decline. A free workshop was held on Saturday 1st November which enabled people to learn more about the problem and how to assess, treat and monitor their trees as part of a larger coordinated trial.

‘We urgently need to find treatment options for this decline and need landholders help to trial potential treatments in a range of settings’, Mr McKinney said.

There are a number of other tree species in our area that are also in decline such as Marri, Flooded Gums and Tuart; the causes and possible treatments of these declines will also be discussed at the workshop.

For more information on the workshop, or to participate in the trial, download the Peppermint Tree Condition Rating Scale and Information For Landholders or contact Gene Hardy on 9781 0111.